Weekly Spending Report: 09/11-17/2016

The past two weeks in September my shopping has been super light, so I decided to do a little stocking-up this week.  Joe has been out of soup, and it's his favorite go-to lunch, so I was very glad to see a sale this week at Giant!  I got an assortment of snack food for him as well.  The only thing I really needed was water and milk, and Howard needed some more breakfast options.

I also picked up some more diapers at CVS since there was a sale.

Below is how my spending broke down this week...

• Monday's ALDI Trip: $14.00 oop

• Thursday's CVS Trip: $25.38 oop, Earned $10 ECB's

• Thursday's Giant Trip: $42.05 oop, Earned $0.25 Ibotta Rebate* (Bread), $0.30 Mobisave Rebate ($0.10 each for Bread, Apples, and Soup) (included, but not pictured are 7 bottles of Powerade)

• Thursday's ALDI Trip: $7.92 oop (no picture, just 6 gallons H2O, and 1 box Cupcakes)

Total OOP: $89.35
Total Earned: $10.55
Total Remaining for September: $233.84
*Use this link to sign up for Ibotta and get a $10 bonus!
 

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Weekly Spending Report: 09/04-10/2016

This week I kept my shopping super simple.  I knew I needed to buy breakfast, lunch, and snack foods to refill our cupboards after vacation, so I kept the deal shopping to a minimum.  I did get in on a cereal deal; I just can't turn those down - any other Mamas with me on that?!  I also didn't hit up CVS this week since there wasn't a whole lot going on there deal-wise.  Below is how my spending broke down, and what I was able to pick up...

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $23.47 oop, Earned $1 Check-out 51* Rebate (Pop-Tarts) (not pictured but included is a loaf of bread)

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $39.27 oop, Earned $0.50 Ibotta** Rebates ($0.25 Bread, and $0.25 Cereal) (not pictured, but included is a large tub of deli pasta salad)

Total OOP: $62.74
Total Earned: $1.50
Total Remaining for September: $323.19
*Use this link to sign up for Checkout51, upload a receipt, and get a $5 Bonus!
**Use this link to sign up for Ibotta and get a $10 bonus!

Menu Plan Monday: 09/05/2016

This week we are gearing up for a HUGE flea market set-up at a steam show here at the museum.  This is our last big set up for the year, so it's kind of a clean-out for us.  Things that we have carried to at least 4 shows gets marked down, junk that I've cleaned out of the apartment during a decluttering sweep gets priced to moved, there is an auction nearby that we can unload some stuff at afterwards if it doesn't sell, plus it's near to home and very convient.  But it's also a LOT of work, so quick and easy is the name of the game this week with the menu plan... 

• Breakfasts: Fruit, Luna Bars, and/or cereal for Me; Pop-Tarts for Joe; Turkey Sausage Links, Mini Muffins, Fruit, and/or Fruit and Grain Bars for Howard 
• Lunches: Tomato and Bacon or PBJ Sandwiches, Leftovers, Chips, Veggie Dippers with Ranch, Soup, and/or Fruit for Joe and I.  Howard will have Turkey Sausage links, Cheese Slices, Mac and Cheese cups, 'Pancake Poppers,' and/or PB Waffles, and Fruit.
• Dinners:
• Sunday - Pizza and Salad

• Monday - Sandwiches, Salads
• Tuesday - Leftovers
• Wednesday - Crock-pot Cheeseburger Sliders (recipe coming soon), Chips
• Thursday - We usually eat at the show, they have Spaghetti, and Green beans with Ham and Potatoes this night
• Friday - Mac and Cheese, Hot Dogs
• Saturday - Out!
   
  For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 08/28-09/03/2016

We were away at the beach for most of this week, so I really didn't do a whole lot of grocery shopping - a little outlet shopping, but that's a whole 'nother story.  I stopped the Dollar Tree on Saturday to pick up my newspapers, but there were no coupons, so I just grabbed the two other things on my list and buzzed out the door before I saw anything else I 'needed.'  My total is low this week, but next week will be a doosy - we desperately need produce, and milk, and bread, and breakfast foods, and... well, you get the picture.  Below are the deals I scored this week...

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $2.06 oop (no picture, just rubber bands, and crackers)

Total OOP: $2.06
Total Earned: Zero
Total Remaining for September: $385.93

Goals Update: August 2016

August was a whirlwind of happenings - a flea market to set up at, 2 different vacations, a visit to a steam and gas show, a trip to the beach, and a whole lot of work in between.  We did well enough at the flea market at the beginning of the month, that we were able to have a little fun at the beach the end of month!  We took note this year that our vacations are very different now that we have a bubbly 2-year-old running around.  We are looking for free or cheap things to do so we don't feel as guilty if we would need to leave early because he decided to get an attitude.  Any parents out there with me on that?  Overall he did great, and seemed to have a ton of fun.  Anyway, I feel like the month was a productive one, but I am looking forward to being even more productive in September.  Here's how things are looking after August...

Personal:

• Lose 20 lbs (about 1.5 lbs a month) -  I have lost 15 pounds!  Even with all the ice cream splurges, I still lost weight!  I really think it has to do with all the walking we do when we're on vacation.  I am hoping to keep this momentum up in September - only 5 more pounds to go this year!
• Exercise 292 days - In August I exercised 24 out of 31 days.  For a total of 200 for the year.  I'm right on track with this goal!  I feel like all I did in August was walk.  Walking is apparently very good exercise (see above). 
• Drink at least 70 oz of water everyday - I did great with this goal in August.  The weather has continued to be almost unbearable.  I am so looking forward to cooler weather!  On the plus-side, when you are hot, you drink more.

 Financial:

• Coupon and deal shop to stick to my $350/month budget - I shared my budget update for August here.  If you click over, you can see all of the great things I was able to stock-up on while still staying $37.99 under budget!  This included tons of fresh produce, diapers, snack food for vacation, sunscreen, and a variety of other items.
• Earn at least 6 - $25 Amazon gift card through Swagbucks - I earned another gift card in August, but I am really going to have to up my game if I'm going to meet this goal by December 31st.  3 Down, and 3 to go.
• List at least 10 things per month online or 120 for the year - I did not list anything in August because we were away for most of the month.  I am hoping to list a few things in September.  January - Check (23), February - no check (0), March - Check (43), April - no check (1), May -no check (0), June - no check (0), July - no check (0), August - no check (0)
• Set up at 6 Flea Markets/Shows to sell our wares - We set up at a flea market at the beginning of August.  We did fairly well, and got rid of a good bit of stuff.  Our next flea market is in September, so I am hoping for another good show!  Total for the year = 3

Household:

• Completely declutter the entire house - I only have one spot left to do, and it is on the to-do list for September -- the cedar chest.
• Finish my 2016 project list - I have my project list update posted separately.  I really didn't get anything accomplished in August, mostly because we were away on vacation for most of the month, and when we were home, I was working.  I am hoping to get things moving again in September.  But, I was looking at the list, and really a LOT of it is done, and that makes me SO happy!

Blogging:

• Post at least 3 times a week - I was able to post 3 times a week in August.  All totaled I posted 14 times in August!  I really enjoyed sharing my frugal finds with you; I love it when I can score such great deals!
• Do a 31 day series in October - Not there yet.  I have been working on my outline in my blogging journal.  I am planning to work on the pictures in September.  
• Set up a Facebook page for my blog - Not yet, I am hoping to get this done in September.

How is everyone else doing with their goals?

Anything new or different you are trying this year?

Share some of your goals in the comments...

Household Project List 2016 - August Update

 

August was fairly unproductive since we were on vacation for most of the month, but I still managed to get a few things crossed off.  I am hoping to pick things back up in September and get everything crossed off before the end of the year.  My work schedule seems to be evening out, so I should have some more time to put towards to last items on my list.  Here are how the list is looking so far this year...

• Bedroom: 
• Declutter 2 Dressers, 1 Chest of Drawers, 2 Nightstands, 1 Closet, and Under the Bed -- Finished in February
• Steam off the crappy boarder - I'm hoping to get to this in October or November.
• Re-glue the wallpaper seams - This is on my to-do list for September.
• Change the wall art - I am still on the hunt for a shelf.  We've gone to quite a few yard sales and flea markets, and we've hit up the thrift store a number of times, I just haven't found what I want yet.  

• Hall: 
• Declutter Hall Closet, Desk, and Coat Closet -- Finished in February
• Sell desk, and move in a bench -- Finished in April
• Build another shelf in the hall closet -- Unneeded, crossed off in February

• Bathroom:
• Declutter the Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers  -- Finished in February
• Touch up the paint - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.

• Living Room:
• Declutter 8 Cube Baskets, 1 End Table, and 3 Dresser Drawers -- Finished in March
• Finish adding pictures to our 'mural' wall - Finished in June/July. 
• Paint the letter 'R' on our 'mural' wall -- Finished in January
• Find new art for behind the futon - I have found the picture that I want, but it's pricey.  If I can find something similar at a yard sale for less money, I will scoop it up for sure.  If not, I'm in the process of saving up so I can get it as a birthday gift to myself.

• Kitchen:
• Declutter 35 Cabinets, 1 Pantry, 1 China Cabinet, and 11 Drawers -- Finished in March   
• Get a new trashcan -- Finished in February
• Steam the wallpaper off our microwave table, and repaint it - Since this table was damaged during the renovations, and it wasn't in the best shape to begin with, we've decided that my loving husband is going to build me a new one and I'll stain it when he's finished.  I am hoping that he will find time this fall to get this completed, but it probably won't get done until January - but we'll see, maybe I'll get lucky.
• Paint the windows/sills/trim - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.
• Clean out the chest freezer and defrost it -- Finished in March
  

• Nursery/Office:
• Declutter the Closet, Dresser, Desk, Chest of Drawers, Bookcase, Sewing Table, and Cedar Chest -- The cedar chest is also on my list for September.
• Go through the CD 3-drawer organizer and combine into a large CD case - Finished in June.
• Install new curtain rods and tie backs; Hang new curtains - Finished in July.
• Make a new curtain for the closet; Hang - Have not started yet.
• Buy new Lamp/Shade for the Dresser -- Finished in April
• Re-glue wallpaper - I have this on the September list as well. 
• Bring in new chest of drawers (#2) - I still need to vacuum the drawers out and put Finish Feeder on the outside.  I'm planning on September for this. 
• Build new shelf (or two) above the desk; Add books to shelves -- We won't be able to build shelves above the desk the way I wanted to, so I am on the lookout for a small, mostly decorative, shelf at the thrift stores and yard sales.
• Paint the windows/sills and the closet door frame - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.

• Laundry Room:
•  Declutter Desk, 3 Drawer Stand, Bookcase, and Closet (including stored Christmas decorations) -- Finished in March
• Touch up paint from renovation - I am planning to start this in October.
• Hang art -- Crossed off in May.  I decided that this isn't necessary.  Plus I am working on Joe to get me a hanging clothes line for in the laundry room, so I will need all the wall space I can get. 
• Wash box of new-to-us toys - Finished in July.
• Buy an IKEA cube system, assemble, and organize -- We are moving the desk out of the laundry room in September - the help is already lined up.  Then towards to end of the month we'll make out IKEA trip and pick up the cube. 

 Are any of you working on some household projects this year?

What are you getting accomplished? 

Budget Update: August 2016

August was a jam-packed month - one 'working vacation,' one beach vacation, an event at the museum, and a whole LOT of work in between.  We were able to make enough at our working vacation to have some fun on our beach vacation the end of the month.  Our vacations are always on a cash budget - no credit cards, which makes things so much less stressful.  We also enjoyed quite a few free activities while we were there, including a day at the zoo, and an antique car show.  We spent quite a bit of time at the pool/splash pad at the camp ground, and enjoyed our evening walks there or on the boardwalk.  Howard had a blast, but would only nap in the car for some reason.  So, Joe and I did a lot of cruising in the suburban while Howard slept, however, we were able to see a lot of the outlying areas around OC that we haven't seen before, so that was fun!  Below is how the budget played out for August; it was a higher spending month, but it usually is when vacations are involved...

• Week #1: $19.71, Earned $12 ECB's

• Week #2: $140.03 oop, Earned $14.24 ECB's, and $0.50 Saving Star Rebate

• Week #3: $83 oop, Earned $5 ECB's, and $0.20 Mobisave Rebates

• Week #4: $112.75 oop, Earned $5 ECB's

Total OOP: $355.49
Total Earned: $36.94
Total Remaining from August: $37.99!
*Use this link to sign up for Ibotta and get a $10 bonus!

Weekly Spending Report: 08/21-27/2016

This week we have been living it up at the beach, and it has been AMAZING!  Since we are caretakers, vacation for us is really about not having a set schedule - not having to get the gates early, no set time to have to be home by, basically just having the freedom to do what we want, when we want.  Seems a little dumb, but for us, just that part is heavenly!  But we also have a Howard to entertain, so we've been to the zoo, a pet store, some outlets, a few antique stores, a small museum of a furnance town, seen some horses, and we've done a lot of cruising in the suburban while he naps.  We left Sunday evening, but earlier that day I stopped into the stores to pick up a few deals, and some things for out trip.  Below is what I ended up with...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $11.55 oop, Earned $5 ECB's

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $52.05 oop

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $49.15 oop

Total OOP: $112.75
Total Earned: $5
Total Remaining from August: $37.99!  I cut that close, but under budget none the less!

Linked to I Heart Publix, and many more! 

Weekly Spending Report: 08/14-20/2016

This week I really didn't need anything other than diapers, so I decided to start picking up treats and snacks for our beach trip next week.  We leave tomorrow and won't be back until September, so after my little bit of shopping tomorrow, I won't be doing much for the rest of the month.  I will probably still hit CVS and the Dollar Tree while we are away, but that will probably be it.  On vacation, we eat out a good bit, especially for dinner, but I still pack some quick and easy breakfast and lunch foods.  My Dad brought me over a boat-load of tomatoes, which I have been enjoying on sandwiches, so whatever is left will be making the voyage with us to OC as well.
Even though there are a lot of items below that I consider to be 'treats,' I still tried to get the best price I could on them.  So, without further ado, here's how the deals were this week...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $3.82 oop, Earned $5 ECB's (Luvs and Dawn)

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $30.88 oop (Included, but not pictured are 8 gallons of H2O), Earned $0.10 Mobisave Rebate (Paper Plates)

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $46.18 oop (Included, but not pictured are 8 Powerades, and a 35 pack case of bottled H2O), Earned $0.10 Mobisave Rebate (Chips)

• Wednesday's Dollar Tree Trip: $2.12 oop (no picture, just 2 tumblers with lids and straws)

Total OOP: $83
Total Earned: $5.20
Total Remaining for August: $150.74<- br="" last="" s="" week="">

Dollar Tree Toddler Sock Review + a No-more-lost-socks Trick!

Baby and toddler socks are the bane of every mother's existence - it seems that if you aren't in the store buying them, you are standing in front of the dryer wondering where they have all gone.
Unfortunately, socks for kids are not as cheap as they should be.  Especially when they are always getting lost.  The constant replacing can get pricey, real quick.  So, I decided to try out the kids socks from the Dollar Tree.  They feel nice and soft, come in super cute designs, and you get three pairs for a buck - that is hard to beat!

Howard has been the guinea pig for these socks, and he loves them - they fit him great, he loves the different patterns, and after many washings, they are holding up well.  There was a little shrinkage the first wash, but they still fit fine, and they are cotton, so it's to be expected. 
And, look at all these patterns we have accumulated...

I would definitely recommend that you give these socks a try.  I have purchased a few pairs for myself as well, so I can't wait to try those out.
Now, for the super simple, no-more-lost-socks trick...
drum roll please
put the socks in a lingerie bag before putting them in the washer!

Duh, right?!  It zips shut so no socks are lost.  I put a few pairs in each bag so there is plenty of space for them to wash, zip them shut, and toss them in with the rest of the load.  When it's time to dry everything, the bag goes into the dryer too.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!
I also purchased these bags at the Dollar Tree, and I am SO surprised by their quality.  The mesh is very durable, and the zippers work great!

This post is not sponsored, the Dollar Tree has no idea who I am, this is just my real-life opinion.